Garland pitches Diamondbacks to 5-2 win over Mets

NEW YORK(AP) -- Jon Garland's day could have ended much
differently if not for a timely grab by his first baseman.

Garland pitched his first complete game in more than a year and
Chad Tracy made a leaping catch to stop a New York Mets rally,
leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-2 victory Sunday.

"Absolutely huge. That could be a complete game-changer,"
Garland said.

New York scored twice in the fifth inning to pull within one and
had a runner on third with one out when pinch-hitter Gary
Sheffield, just off the disabled list, hit a line drive that
appeared headed for the right-field corner.

Tracy leaped and snared the ball, preserving Arizona's lead and
taking some starch out of the Mets. Angel Pagan flied out to end
the inning, and Garland cruised home from there.

"Tracy caught that ball, it almost took the breath out of the
whole stadium. Kind of took them out of the game. And it almost
seemed like it was a letdown on their bench. You know, like that
was our chance and we lost it, when they still had a guy on,"
Garland said. "The defense stepped up big for me today. I tip my
cap."

Tracy also hit a two-run double that put Arizona up 3-0.

Miguel Montero had three hits and Gerardo Parra drove in two
runs to back Garland, who is 2-8 in his last 14 outings even
though he's compiled seven straight quality starts.

Making his 300th major league appearance, Garland (6-10) gave up
seven hits in his 10th career complete game and first since July
6, 2008, with the Los Angeles Angels against Toronto.

The right-hander struck out two and walked none. He threw 76 of
106 pitches for strikes.

"I thought he did a great job of keeping everybody off balance,
not letting anyone get comfortable," New York's Jeff Francoeur
said. "He's never controlled the ball like he did today."

With streaking slugger Mark Reynolds getting a scheduled rest,
Augie Ojeda started at third base for the Diamondbacks and
reached base safely all five times up from the No. 8 spot in the
lineup.

Francoeur homered for the Mets (50-54), who had won six of
eight. David Wright grounded into two double plays and finished
0 for 4, ending an 11-game hitting streak.

New York starter Mike Pelfrey (8-7) lasted only five innings. He
sported a patchy beard - several Mets have vowed not to shave
until the team gets back to .500.

The first pitch was delayed by rain for 2 hours, 28 minutes. As
a thunder-and-lightning storm rolled through Citi Field, fans
were advised to take cover on the concourses for safety.

"Even a blind man could see it coming," Garland said. "But it
was nice, they kept us notified real well. And they were right
on with their times. They knew when it was coming, they knew
when it was going to be gone. They got that field prepared
pretty well. It took a lot of rain."

Once play started, gloomy clouds gave way to clear skies and
sunshine.

Montero's leadoff double in the fourth was the first hit off
Pelfrey. Montero scored on a two-out double by Alex Romero,
putting Arizona ahead.

Montero's fifth-inning single loaded the bases for Tracy, who
doubled over Francoeur's head in right.

New York responded with three straight extra-base hits to start
the bottom half. Francoeur led off with a shot to left, giving
him four homers and 19 RBIs in 19 games since joining the Mets
in a trade from Atlanta. He had five homers and 35 RBIs in 82
games with the Braves.

Cory Sullivan followed with a triple and scored on Alex Cora's
double. Cora was on third with one out when Sheffield lined out
to Tracy.

"We had him positioned perfect. He hit a scud missile right at
me," Tracy said.

Garland helped himself with a sacrifice bunt in the sixth,
setting up Parra's two-out RBI single off Pat Misch. Ojeda hit a
leadoff triple in the eighth, and Parra's sacrifice fly made it
5-2.

Pelfrey threw 107 pitches, allowing three runs and five hits. He
matched a season high with six strikeouts.

"He's the type of young pitcher who right now has trouble
putting guys away," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said.

The right-hander hit consecutive batters with 1-2 pitches in the
second, loading the bases before Garland flied out to end the
inning. Garland plunked Francoeur on the left arm in the bottom
half.

NOTES: After the game, the Mets optioned Misch to Triple-A
Buffalo to make roster room for RHP Nelson Figueroa, who will be
called up to start Monday night against Arizona ace Dan Haren.
... Montero is batting .377 with five homers and 13 RBIs in his
past 13 starts.